Hi! I am planning to knit my first beanie from this pattern: tiajudy.com/simplestcap

The pattern specifies double pointed needles. Can I use a circular needle instead? I get the impression that knitting in the round on circular needles is easier for a beginner.

Also, the pattern calls for "stockinette stitch (knit all rounds). I was under the impression that stockinette was 1 knit row, 1 perl row*
If I knit in the round, does garter stitch automatically turn into stockinette?

Thank you so much, I can't wait to start this project and I really appreciate your help!

The reason caps are knitted on dpns is because at a certain point in the pattern, there aren't enough stitches to make it around the needle and that makes it hard to knit. So when most people use circular needles for knitting, they use the Magic Loop technique which allows you to use a larger circular needle than you would normally use for a circular project. There is a video demonstrating the ML technique on this site here under Small Diameter Knitting.

You are right, stockinette stitch worked on straight needles is a combination of a knit row and a purl row. That is because when you knit on straight needles, there are times when the right side of your work is facing you (the knit side) and when the wrong side is facing you (the purl stitches.) When you work in the round, the right side of your knitting is always facing out. So, to work in stockinette stitch you are only knitting.

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I usually begin and end beanie caps on DPNs and change to circs when I do enough of an increase for the cap to sit comfortably on 16" without being stretched too tightly. I change back on my first round of decreases (usually, depends on the cap). For baby caps I just stick to the DPNs.

Your link didn't work so I can't look at your specific pattern. There may be some reason they called for dpns throughout, but I usually start beanies on a 16" circular and move to dpns at the top. Sometimes I switch to 2 circulars (add a second one of the same diameter, of any length). If there are not enough stitches to begin on the 16" needle the designer may have liked dpns best as her method of choice to solve that issue. There are others as zkimom pointed out. But her statement

Quote:

So when most people use circular needles for knitting, they use the Magic Loop technique which allows you to use a larger circular needle than you would normally use for a circular project.

is a good point of discussion, I'd have to say I doubt a real study has been done on how many people prefer ML. I know I don't. Too fiddly for me, you spend half your time pulling the needles through so you can use them (exaggeration)

Anyway there are several ways to knit on a small circumference, it sounds like the designer of your hat may prefer dpns, but it can be done other ways.

I liked your statement and question:

Quote:

Also, the pattern calls for "stockinette stitch (knit all rounds). I was under the impression that stockinette was 1 knit row, 1 perl row*
If I knit in the round, does garter stitch automatically turn into stockinette?

Yes, it automatically turns into stockinette. I prefer to call it magically. Knitting is full of mysteries.

If I knit in the round, does garter stitch automatically turn into stockinette?

Garter stitch is the name of the result when you knit all rows flat, not what you do. You can also get garter stitch by purling all rows flat, or alternating a purl and knit round when knitting in the round.

Thank you so much for all your responses! Can you help me figure out what this means:

Work one more round of ribbing, increasing 8 stitches evenly spaced around the circle by lifting the bar between the stitches below and knitting into the back of this stitch, twisting it. You will now have a total of 64 stitches.

Is there a video that might help me learn this particular increase (sometimes I find that what I am looking for is right under my nose, I just don't know the names of everything yet)

Also here is a link to the pattern, hopefully now that I have made a few posts it will work properly: